Members of the public can apply for places in the five-mile run over the next four weeks. Successful applicants in the ballot will have the chance to be the first runners to cross the Olympic Stadium finish line during the run on 31 March 2012.

The event celebrates the contribution of The National Lottery and its players to London 2012.

The National Lottery Olympic Park Run is open to anyone aged 16 or over, of any running ability. Each of the 5,000 lucky applicants will also be allocated a pair of spectator passes to the Olympic Stadium, so that two friends or family members can support them over the finish line.

The five-mile course will travel through the Olympic Park alongside many other iconic Olympic and Paralympic Games venues and provide participants with a once in a lifetime opportunity to run on the track that the world’s elite athletes will compete on.

The cost of entering The National Lottery Olympic Park Run will be £15 for successful applicants which covers a race number, two spectator passes for the Olympic Stadium, a full information pack, an event T-shirt to run in on the day, computer chip timing for a completely accurate running time, a souvenir finisher's medal, on-course refreshments and a finisher's pack.

London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe commented: ‘The National Lottery and its players have made a significant contribution in helping us realise our vision for the most spectacular Olympic Park, which will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. I’m delighted that The National Lottery will give members of the public the chance to be the first to cross the finish line in the Olympic Stadium.’